George Baldock cause of death as England and Greece to pay tribute in Nations League fixture

Former Sheffield United defender George Baldock has died at the age of 31. The England and Greece international was found in his Athens-based home on Wednesday night

England and Greece will observe a minute's silence and don black armbands in their Nations League match on Thursday, following the tragic death of former Sheffield United defender George Baldock. The 31-year-old was discovered in his Athens-based home on Wednesday night.

Baldock had an illustrious career spanning over 13 seasons in England, playing for several clubs throughout the EFL and eventually in the top division with the Blades before moving to Panathinaikos over the summer. After making his international debut for Greece in 2022, he earned 12 caps.

The two teams will pay their respects to Baldock before Thursday's group stage game with a minute's silence prior to kick-off, and both sides will wear black armbands throughout the match. Lord Herman Ouseley, the founder of Kick It Out, will also be remembered after he passed away last week.

Baldock, who resided in southern Greece before he was found at 10.30pm on October 9 in his swimming pool, made 219 appearances for Sheffield United, aiding them in reaching the Premier League twice. Initial findings from the coroner suggest he drowned.

He was a standout player in Chris Wilder's impressive side that pioneered an overlapping centre-back system. A product of the English football pyramid, Baldock also played for MK Dons, Oxford United, Tamworth, and Northampton Town, making 137 Premier League appearances.

"As a family we are in shock at this terrible loss," read the statement from his loved ones, as they grapple with the news. Panathinaikos expressed their disbelief: "We are shocked, we are shocked by the loss of our George. The family of Panathinaikos mourns his untimely death. We stand with the family and loved ones of George Baldock."

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Having played for the Greek Super League side most recently on Sunday, Baldock's season had been marred by an injury that saw him miss the initial games.

He featured four times for them. Sheffield United, where he was a former player, extended their sympathies: "The defender left the club in the summer after seven years at Bramall Lane and was extremely popular with supporters, staff and team-mates who pulled on a red and white shirt alongside him."